Location
This beautiful part of Argyll is famous for its gardens, specialising in exotic azaleas and rhododendrons. It offers forest walks, cycle trails, bird watching, riding, good fishing, and many places of historical and archaeological interest.
Minard is thirteen miles (20km) south-west of Inveraray - an ancient stronghold of the Campbell Clan - which is noted for its castle and historic jail.
Other local attractions include the Auchindrain Folk Museum and the famous Crarae Garden. Minard is also well placed for touring this interesting area. Within easy travelling distance are the Crinan Canal and the prehistoric sites around Kilmartin.
To the south is the Kintyre Peninsular and Campbeltown. To the north are Loch Awe, the spectacular Pass of Brander, the tunnels of the Cruachan hydro-electric scheme, and Oban with its shops, distillery and ferries to many of the islands. Further north are Glencoe, Fort William and Loch Ness.
The Garden and Grounds
The grounds around the house and two other nearby areas comprise
144 acres (58 hectares), much of which is planted with Christmas trees -
hence the deer fence. Near the house a number of trees and rhododendrons
have recently been planted as eventual replacements for those planted in
the 19th century. To the west of the house is a formal walled garden. North
of the walled garden there is a large pond , and beyond it many interesting
rhododendrons from the Himalayas and elsewhere are becoming established.
Guests are very welcome to explore the grounds.
Shopping and Restaurants
The village shop is a mile and a half (2km) away, and there is
a wide choice of shops at Lochgilphead. There are two bars, a restaurant
and a coffee shop within five miles. Also, there are many good restaurants in
the wider area. Oban, which is about fifty-five miles away, is the nearest
large town, and is a very good centre for shopping.
Transport and Directions
The Glasgow to Campbeltown buses stop by request at the end of the castle's drive, and guests can be met by prior arrangement. However, a car is recommended for touring the area. There are no convenient railway stations nearer than Glasgow, which is about 75 miles (120 km) away. Glasgow Airport is situated beside the motorway as you leave the city.
The journey from Glasgow Airport takes about one and a half hours by car. Please note that speed limits, unless otherwise indicated, are 70mph on motorways and 60mph on other roads. In urban areas they are either 30mph or 40mph.
Take the M8 Motorway north and leave it at the Erskine Bridge exit. After crossing the bridge, take the left fork towards Loch Lomond. Keep on the A82 (avoiding the left fork to Helensburgh) up the west side of Loch Lomond to Tarbet. There you take the A83 through Arrochar, over the "Rest and Be Thankful" pass, and on to Inveraray.
Follow the A83 south-west for about twelve miles
(19km) past Inveraray, half way to Lochgilphead, then you will reach Minard
Village. Three-quarters of a mile (1km) beyond the village you will see
the sign to Minard Castle on the left hand side of the road. At the end of the drive
(about three-quarters of a mile from the main road) turn right through
the gateway with the cattle grid. Go past the Lodge, round to the front
of the main house, and ring the front door bell.
